The Booker Prize announced its 2020 shortlist. The list includes US authors Brandon Taylor, Diane Cook, and Avni Doshi, and excludes two-time Booker winner Hilary Mantel. Four of the nominees are debuts, four of the authors are people of color, and most of the books are from independent publishers. The full list: Diane Cook, The New Wilderness (Harper/Oneworld) Tsitsi Dangarembga, This Mournable Body (Graywolf/Faber & Faber) Avni Doshi, Burnt Sugar (Overlook/Hamish Hamilton) Maaza Mengiste, The Shadow King (Norton/Canongate) Brandon Taylor, Real Life (Riverhead/Daunt Publishing) Douglas Stuart, Shuggie Bain (Grove/Picador)
Archives for September 2020
Daunt Says Digital Audio Platform and Improved Distribution Are On the Way
On Friday afternoon, Barnes & Noble ceo James Daunt engaged in a video conversation with BISG executive director Brian O’Leary as part of the organization’s virtualized annual meeting. Some of Daunt’s most interesting remarks came at the end of the session, responding to audience questions. He acknowledged that the chain is far behind in playing a role in digital audio, and is working to catch up: “We should have an audio proposition…. We’ve done a lot of work on it, and we need to launch it and have it fully operational…. It has to be as good as the industry […]
Hachette Book Group Updates on Diversity and Inclusion Programs
Hachette Book Group USA ceo Michael Pietsch updated staff last week on the company’s ongoing diversity and inclusion efforts: “This is an incredibly important conversation, about a large number of significant goals. Some we can accomplish quickly, others will take concentrated efforts over years.” As Pietsch admitted in a companywide meeting at the end of June, “We don’t have nearly sufficient diversity at HBG.” The company had reported internally that its workforce is 69 percent white; 4 percent Black; 18 percent Hispanic; 7 percent Asian; and 2 percent bi-multiracial. Senior management is 80 percent white. Among new hires in 2019 […]
People, Etc.
LaToya Rose joined Macmillan in the new role of vp, diversity, equity, and inclusion in August. She also joined the trade management committee and the diversity and inclusion steering committee, and reports to global trade coo Andrew Weber. Most recently, she was svp, director of operations and employee engagement at Burson-Marsteller. Rose says, “I believe everyone deserves to be treated fairly. My intention is to always leave something or someone better than how I found them. I want to inspire our colleagues. I want them to be hopeful and dream without feeling limited in their careers, especially those who are […]
People, Etc.
Stephanie Sinclair will join CookeMcDermid as literary agent. She was at Transatlantic Literary Agency. Patrice Caldwell joins New Leaf Literary & Media as literary agent. She was at the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. Parneshia Jones has been promoted to director of Northwestern University Press, effective September 21. Anne Bowman joins Chelsea Green in the new role of vp of business development and global sales. She has been head of new business (children’s rights) at Penguin Random House UK. Bowman will remain based in London and will split her time between Chelsea Green’s UK and Vermont offices. At Tom Doherty Associates, […]
People, Etc.
Mekisha Telfer has been promoted to editor at Roaring Brook Press. Mara Delgado-Sanchez has been promoted to assistant editor at St. Martin’s Publishing Group. Rachel Bass has been promoted to assistant editor at Tom Doherty Associates. As Venetia Butterfield takes over Cornerstone in January, Daniel Crewe will move up to publishing director for Penguin Business and Penguin Life, along with Viking Non-Fiction, reporting to Joanna Prior. Martina O’Sullivan will be promoted to publisher for Penguin Business and Penguin Life, reporting to Crewe. At Viking UK, Isabel Wall moves up to commissioning editor immediately. Veronica Park has been promoted to agent at Fuse Literary. Awards […]